Bluegrass bragging rights at stake in deadlocked series

Posted November 23, 2016 6:00 am

By The Associated Press

Kentucky (6-5) at No. 11 Louisville (9-2, No. 11 CFP), Noon (ESPN)

Line: Louisville by 24.

Series record: Tied 14-14.

WHAT'S AT STAKE

Bowl eligible for the first time since 2010, Kentucky also seeks its first seven-win season since 2009 and the end of a five-game losing streak against cross-state rival Louisville. The Cardinals aim to get back on track after a dreadful performance at Houston ended its playoff hopes. QB Lamar Jackson aims to re-establish his Heisman Trophy credentials after his worst outing this season.

KEY MATCHUP

Cardinals' Jackson vs. Kentucky's defense. Jackson has nowhere to go but up after rushing for just 33 yards and being sacked 11 times by Houston. He faces a Wildcats unit that has improved significantly since their horrid start but is allowing 428.5 yards per game and has struggled against mobile quarterbacks. Jackson accounted for 316 yards and three touchdowns in last year's 38-24 comeback win in Lexington, doing most of his damage in the second half.

PLAYERS TO WATCH

Kentucky: RBs Benny Snell and Boom Williams. The duo is the Wildcats' first pair of 1,000-yard rushers, with Williams' 1,072 leading the team. Snell (1,006) broke Moe Williams' previous school record for single-season yards by a freshman and has a team-best 12 TDs, also a freshman record.

Louisville: LB Keith Kelsey. An all-ACC first team selection last season, the senior enters his home finale as the team's tackles leader again with 74, including 12 combined the past two games with a fumble recovery against Wake Forest.

FACTS & FIGURES

Kentucky seeks its first road win over a ranked opponent since 2002, when it beat Louisville. ... Wildcats QB Stephen Johnson did not start last week against Austin Peay because of a knee injury but entered in the second quarter to direct a 49-13 comeback win with two TDs passing to help clinch bowl eligibility. ... Cardinals coach Bobby Petrino is 6-0 against Kentucky with Louisville and 7-1 career. He went 1-1 against the Wildcats at Arkansas. ... Louisville RB Brandon Radcliff needs 213 yards rushing to reach 1,000 this season.

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AP College Football: www.collegefootball.ap.org and on Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Top25

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